Reviews

Welcome to “Reviews in a Minute”! These are the previously titled “bite-sized reviews”, but they’re the same thing. Just a different name.

What are these particular books about? Well, here’s what they have in common: They come out in early February. OH and I got them from Edelweiss, which is really just a random coincidence. *Edit* They are all also debuts, which I hadn’t even thought about. Oopsie.

Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto
Assassin’s Heart by Sarah Ahiers
Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman


Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto
Published by Balzer + Bray on February 2nd 2016
Pages: 384
Format:eARC
Source:via Edelweiss

The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.

But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.


reviews2

I have some mixed feelings about this one. I will fully admit that the cover will go firmly into the “good” section, because look at it. But alas, we aren’t here for that. I’d say that I liked this more than I didn’t like it, but I did have some pretty sizable issues.

The Good Stuff

So, the characters in the book were pretty fabulous. They’d all suffered a lot, because this world basically sucked. Westie, the main character, had a mechanical arm because people tried to freaking eat herYeah, and succeed in eating her arm. And oh yes, her family. Messed up as that is, it was intriguing for sure and is a positive. Now, not only did I love Westie, but I loved the entire cast of supporting characters. Or hated them with a fiery passion, depending on the character in question. At any rate, I was definitely invested in their stories!

There’s also a lot of adventurous plot happening as Westie plans her revenge (in the wild, no less, how about that?). Well, plan is maybe not the right word, because Westie just basically reacts to stuff without thinking anything through, so most of the time she’s either trying to prove herself, or trying not to die. Or be eaten. Again.

The Not as Good Stuff 

See, cannibals aren’t the only creatures roaming the west. No, there are vampires, and magical Native Americans, and trolls, and a bunch of others that I am probably not remembering perfectly at all. I just don’t know that they were all necessary? I mean, sure, the cannibals, because they are what threw the whole story into motion. But vampires and trolls (and elves, I think, maybe)? I just didn’t really get why they were all involved. There wasn’t really a good enough explanation for me to buy it. And there’s a lot of different plot stuff happening too. There’s political stuff, there’s some issues with alcohol abuse, and survival, and wagon trails which makes me think of like, The Oregon Trail circa 1848. Which maybe it was supposed to, but I didn’t really know, which brings me to the next issue.

I didn’t really understand the world. I guess it was supposed to be historical, technically? But since there were mechanical arms and vampires and no real clues on what the actual time period was, I just kind of surmised the historical part from tags on Goodreads, so that’s super professional.

I feel like maybe it all could have worked if there was time to build the world and the backstory and really introduce all the subplots and characters, but it just felt like a very brief overview of a lot of topics, and took away from the main story.

Bottom Line: It was entertaining and I enjoyed the characters, but some of the potential fizzled with plot and character overload and not enough pages to flesh it all out. Still, I was definitely invested enough to want to know how the story ended.

3s


Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers
Series: Assassin's Heart #1
Published by HarperTeen on February 2nd 2016
Pages: 400
Format:eARC
Source:via Edelweiss

In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down.

Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay.

With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this richly imagined fantasy from debut author Sarah Ahiers is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance.


reviews2

Ah, the kind of book a mini-review was made for! You know the kind- spoilery stuff happens within the first like, 20% of the book making it nearly impossible to tell you anything else about the book? Yep, this is that stuff!

I wasn’t sure about it at first, to be honest. The beginning was a little “meh” for me- not for very long, mind you, but the very beginning was a bit underwhelming, even with assassining. (“Assassining” should absolutely be a word by the way, and I am adding it to my dictionary.)

I was kind of nervous about the whole mafia-themed assassins storyline would be really unbelievable, but the way it was presented made it really work in the story. I accepted the premise behind it, so that was good. I can’t say much (seriously, this may be the most impossible review to write ever), so I will just give you the vaguest bare minimum of things I liked a great deal:

  • Lea is a fabulous protagonist. Coming from her background, you know she is going to be tough on the outside, but she grows a lot on the inside too during the book.
  • There are a lot of other characters who were very well done. No matter if I loved them or hated them (and there were characters that I really hated), there were feelings involved. And, their motives made sense and fit with their characters.
  • There were some fabulous themes running throughout the book. The one that was my favorite, and that I can definitely mention, is family, and how important it is.

The negative? Well, there were some points where I felt that things were getting a bit drawn out and repetitive. Like, we get it, you hate those guys. Let’s move along now. But luckily it did move along, and I was pleased with the story as a whole.

Bottom Line: Definitely a win for me. I enjoyed the characters, plot, and world building, and I am very excited to see what happens in the next book in the series.

4s


Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
Series: Blackhearts #1
Published by Simon Pulse on February 9th 2016
Pages: 384
Format:eARC
Source:via Edelweiss

Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.

Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England?

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.


reviews2I have seen a few reviewers saying that this was different than they’d expected, and I totally agree. But for me, it was better. Here’s what I thought the story was going to be:

And I was wary. Because I am not really a pirate story kind of girl. But since I really don’t read synopses in detail 99% of the time, the actual plot escaped me until I read the book. Plus side to not ever reading what a book is fully about? Happy surprises!

Anyway, this is a story about Anne and Teach. Not just Anne and Teach and their relationship with each other, it’s a story about them as individuals, and the struggles they’re both going through. Basically, they are both perceived certain ways by those around them, and as is the case most of the time, they are far more than the stereotyped perceptions seem. I loved that though their backgrounds were incredibly different, they were ultimately searching for the same thing: the freedom to be who they wanted to be beyond the expectations and pressures from others.

But don’t worry, it is also about Anne and Teach’s relationship. The tension is palpable, and I loved it. I loved the diversity of Anne’s background, especially considering the time period. I loved even more that it didn’t ever bother Teach in the least, even when they barely knew each other. While everyone else was being judgy, he was not.

It’s a very character driven story, so if you wanted tons of blood and swords, that isn’t happening. But I found the characters to be fabulous and well fleshed out, so it worked great for me.

I had only two gripes. One was minor, and one was kind of big. The first one is a secondary plot point that I don’t really think needed to be as involved as it was. Every time it was mentioned, it felt like it was butting in to remind me that we’d be seeing more about it later. It wasn’t really a huge deal though, just a minor annoyance. The bigger deal for me is this: I have no idea if there is potentially going to be a sequel, or if the abruptness of how it ends is just how it ends. I don’t usually talk endings, but this was the kind of situation that had me checking my Kindle to see if I missed something.

Bottom Line: Blackhearts was a refreshing surprise. Very character driven with very strong female and male main characters really set this apart for me.
4s

Shall we chat about these books? Any that you have read or are particularly looking forward to?

And of course, do you prefer nice character time or bloody pirate battles?

Posted January 22, 2016 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in In a Minute, Review / 55 Comments

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55 responses to “Reviews in a Minute: These Have February in Common!

  1. I really love your reviews in a minute (or bite, or by whatever title really!). Sometimes when I’m struggling for things to read, I definitely want reviews I can digest in a few seconds, paired with other books.

    I’ve got Assassin’s Heart on pre-order and looking forward to it!

  2. oh I want to read all three of these and i shall for sure. They all sound incredibly good. I am curious about revenge and the wild having vampires trolls and elves. seems like an odd mixutre. Trolls and elves go together but with vampires and then cannibles. strange yes but maybe I will like it.

    yay for the likes.

  3. I’m really excited about Assassin’s Heart and Blackhearts! The premise for both seems very unique and it looks like you enjoyed them quite a lot too 😀 But it sucks that the ending of Blackhearts was so abrupt –– I’ve done that whole ‘checking my kindle to see if I missed something’ thing before and it annoys the heck out of me when a book ends so suddenly like that. Great reviews!

  4. Vampires and trolls? I hadn’t realized that about the first book either but that does mean too much with the cannibals. I feel like the cannibals would easily overshadow the vamps! I’m sorry that you didn’t understand the world either. I really hate when that happens to me. I just end up feeling like an idiot and want to chuck the book outside. I have to admit though that the characters sound fantastic and I would want to read the book just to meet them! I had downloaded it from EW so I might as well give it a try.

    I’m glad to hear that Assassin’s Heart improved for you after a while! I tend to ditch books very early on if they don’t work for me so I’ll have to keep this in mind if I decide to pick this one up. Characters done well and fabulous themes definitely appeal to me. 🙂

    Oh Blackhearts. I really really liked the book too. The tension between the characters and the characters themselves was so well-done like you said. I liked that it was a character driven story and I didn’t mind that there wasn’t much pirating going on. I had the same issues as you. If the minor one is what I’m thinking it is, I’m with you. It was a little frustrating but thankfully nothing to major because I knew where it was going. But that ending though. The more I think of it, the more frustrated I am. The author hasn’t been contracted for a sequel so I feel like knowing that maybe she could have left it a little less open just in case the publisher doesn’t publish a sequel? I don’t know, I’m just so picky about my endings TBH. And open endings are a bit irritating for me.

    Anyways, lovely reviews, Shannon! 🙂

    • Thank you, dear ♥ I will be awaiting your review on Revenge and the Wild, because the reviews I have seen are ALL over the place. Some people loved it, some people hated it, and some, like me, fell kind of in the middle. It’s one of THOSE books I guess 😉

      I liked Assassin’s Heart a lot, but I think it’ll be another mixed bag one. Same for Blackhearts, actually. And THE ENDING of Blackhearts. EVIL, I tell you. I agree that she should have maybe closed it up just a little- though, maybe this is her plan, in hopes of securing a sequel 😉 I feel like she is likely to get one, because people have been really liking the book. I would DEFINITELY read it! I am picky about endings too- they kind of can be a deal breaker for me. Honestly, if this book NEVER gets a sequel, I could see myself lowering the rating a bit.

  5. Oh how I wish I could write mini-reviews…I tend to end up rambling and using way too many words XD

    I definitely want to read ALL of these but I like that you weren’t blown away by Revenge and the Wild – if only because so far I’d only read glowing reviews and I like to have a nice balance so I’m better prepared for what to expect! Too much praise and then you’re bound to be disappointed. Black Hearts and Assassin’s Heart sound right up my alley though 😀

    • Hahah sometimes I end up doing that too, actually! But I still call them mini-reviews, because why not? 😉 As for Revenge and the Wild, a lot of people DID really enjoy it, so you very well may (and I hope you do!), and I at least liked it 🙂

  6. Revenge and the Wild definitely has a ncie cover, but it’s a shame some things weren’t explained well enough. And they have mechanical arms and it’s sort of in the past, that sounds a bit confusing. I like it when it’s clear in which time the story takes place.
    Assassin’s Heart sounds like a god one and those books where something spoilery occurs early in the series definitely can be hard to review.
    I am glad to hear you liked Black Herats, that happens to me sometimes too that i only read half of the blurb and then expect something different from the book. It sounds like in this case that it was different from what you expected turned out to be a good thing. Great reviews!

    • YES that’s what I didn’t get- because it’s the past, but then there’s magic and technology, so who knows, because they never tell us! The only thing we know is that there are wagons, and that San Francisco is a thing, I think. And you know, vampires and cannibals and trolls 😉

      And thanks! (Oh, and that’s what I do too- read the bare minimum of a blurb- and then wonder why I am confused hahah)

  7. I’m always confused with books that seem like they are in the past, but then have hovering cars or some shit. I’m like the guy from Jumanji: ‘what year is it????’
    Sad that the first one was kind of a bust. Yours isn’t the first I read with the same opinion.
    The second one however I am super interested in! I have this thing for killers in books (I love them) so I was hoping this one was good.
    I was a little scared about that ending in Blackhearts, but after Nick gave it her approval, I think I’ll like it too.
    Way to know these reviews out Shannon!
    -Nereyda

    • YESSSS! YES. Thank you! WHat IS that!? I cannot handle it. Someone tell me what is happening! Is it like another universe entirely? But then… why are we talking about San Francisco!?!?! And I am glad that Nick approves of Blackhearts too- hopefully we won’t lead you astray 😉 Thanks!!

  8. Larissa Holt

    Omg I want to read all of these books so badly! They just have such appealing summaries to me (:

    Revenge and the Wild sounded so unique to me. Like taking the wild west to a whole new level. Glad the characters were as epic as they seemed to be described. Unfortunately it seems the craziness of the world really got overwhelming though. Like Vampires, trolls, elves (???) along with cannibals?! In a historical society yet with modern technological conveniences almost giving steampunk vibes it seems??? Yeah, I could definitely see why that would throw you off. Worlds like that definitely require quite a lot of explanation. I mean you can’t just throw all of those creatures in a story and expect the reader to be like “okay sure just some casual vamps, cannibals, trolls and elves. Naturally.” Glad you still managed to enjoy the story overall though (:

    Oooooo you now have me super intrigued by the early on twist in Assassin’s Heart. Usually I find twists most often occur near the end of the book so when it comes earlier it really does interest me. Like it can completely change the direction of the story and I love it. The fact you’re being so vague for your review of Assassin’s Heart makes me want to read it even more so congrats for that. I really do find myself interested by the almost political intrigue that occurs in mafia based plotlines so I hope to see some of that. Also it’s very good to hear Lea is a strong protagonist, I remember the last mafia based book I read (omg I don’t even remember the title lol) the main character annoyed me so much.

    BLACKHEARTS. Ahhhh out of all the books here I want to read this one the most. Unlike you I LOVE PIRATES. So I was really hoping this one would be my good old fashioned swashbuckling pirate adventure. Glad I read your review before reading this one though, really clarified things so now I can go into this one with proper expectations. Not gonna lie I’ll be missing my bloody pirate battles but it sounds like the character development of Anne and Teach is something just as amazing. And omg I can already tell the romance between them….fdsjfdlskjdlsfk. I haven’t even read the book and I ship it hahah. That is a little weird about the ending though, it makes you wonder if there will be a sequel. I do get open endings but there is definitely a difference between a open ending and one that is so sudden that you wonder if you’re missing pages.

    Brilliant mini reviews Shannon <33 Got me even more excited to read

    • BWHAHAH I laughed out loud at your assessment of RatW, because it is SO. ACCURATE. That is exactly the thing- how am I just supposed to buy into this? Wagons and trolls, and mechanical engineering, and eating people’s arms, and magic, and being in ACTUAL America….??? No.

      Aww thanks! I am glad that the vagueness helped- it’s so hard to proceed with those kind of books. The political stuff with the mafia families was definitely intriguing! Was the last book Hold Me Like a Breath? Because Assasin’s Heart is kind of like how that book would have been, if it had more magic and less sucking.

      And Blackhearts is not a swashbuckler. At all, BUT it is still a really good book, if that helps! i definitely ship it! (HA a pun!) Apparently, the sequel is… a question mark. The author has said that she has one, but that like, the publisher hasn’t decided basically.

      Thank you, dear! I hope you love them ♥

  9. Love love love mini reviews! These are all the most gorgeous covers! I have been looking forward to BlackHearts but now I’m not sure about it! I have had that experience where you’re not sure if this is a standalone or not and I feel so betrayed by an abrupt ending (sometimes even if there is a sequel) so I could see how this would not be the best!

    On another note, I now REALLY want to read Assassin’s Heart!

  10. Ah, I LOVE the new name for the bite-sized reviews, very clever. Okay, so I was interested in Revenge and the Wild until you got to the vampire part and trolls and…everything else. I just finished a book that seemed to add all kinds of side things like that for no apparent reason and it just BUGS me, okay? Like, if it’s needed, sure add all the random creatures you want but why do it if it serves no point??? Also, I’m squeamish with cannibal stuff… *shivers*

    I WANT Assassin’s Heart SO BADLY now! I wanted it before but now I want it even MORE. As for Blackhearts, I’m intrigued, I haven’t heard of it before (dude, I’m ridiculously behind on knowing anything about upcoming releases) and PIRATES? And I’m assuming, SHIPPING (characters not actual boats, obviously). But..um, I like bloody pirate battles. *sob* Bloody pirate battles are ALWAYS better than character development nonsense (okay, I don’t really mean that).
    Great reviews! Though it took me more than a minute to read them… =)

    • Thank you, thank you! I noticed that people were starting to use “bite-sized reviews”, and it made me stabby, so I changed it 😉

      And YESSS what was the POINT!? I feel like this should have been a duology, cut out a few random species, and it would have been AMAZING. The potential is there for sure.

      And I REALLY hope you love them both. And yes, Blackhearts, there are TWO ships: a boat, and a relationship! LOVE the latter. The boat’s okay too, I guess? 😉

      And I KNOW it took more than a minute but… it’s HARD 😉

  11. Awk, I WANT TO READ THE SECOND TWO SO BAD. Actually I’m a bit nervous of Blackhearts seeing it’s not all ARR ME HEARTIES which, frankly, gives me life. I need pirates. Need ’em. So just having a historical-ish romance kind of makes me dubious. But you know me…I MUST READ EVERYTHING. So it’s on the list! And I’m reading the Assassin’s Heart soon!! Omg I didn’t realise it was out in February though…hhaaha, must get onto that. *flaps a way in a puddle of good intentions*

  12. I’ve only read Blackhearts from these three, and yeah, I agree. The ending was pretty abrupt. It devastated me so. Not really into pirates too much either, but I like Johnny Depp. Soooo. 😀 I almost want a sequel, then I don’t??? I had those conflicting feelings tbh. Lovely mini reviews!

  13. I have all three of these, so I’m glad you enjoyed them! (For the most part) I can see where you’re coming from with Revenge. Why were all those supernatural creatures necessary? I’m glad Assassin’s Heart ended up working for you even though it started a little meh. I’ve been hearing awesome things about Blackhearts! I really can’t wait to start it! Thanks for sharing these Shannon!

  14. Great reviews, Shannon! I must admit I was a little wary of Blackhearts, but by the sounds of it it’s everything I love about historical fiction and I definitely want to get my hands on it. 🙂 Assassin’s Heart and Revenge and the Wild both sound very cool, too, though Revenge and the Wild certainly sounds a bit… enthusiastic. Still, other than Hannibal I haven’t come across many stories involving cannibals, so I’m intrigued!

    • Aww thanks! And yes- it is like, 99% historical fiction, 1% pirate basically. Which is a percentage that I can get on board with 😉 BWHAHAH I lovee that- enthusiastic, YES. Like it loves ALL the things and wants to include them all. The cannibal stuff was actually really good- it was the random other stuff that I wasn’t so sure about 😉 Hope you enjoy them if/when you read them!

  15. Revenge and the Wild is soooo not a Danielle book, but it’s funny that you reviewed the other two because I’m so on the fence about them! Since their series, I’ll probably wait to see how the sequels play out, but both seem like books I could enjoy.
    Lovely reviews, Shannon!

  16. Okay, I can’t read your blog anymore. I just can’t do it. It is MURDER on my TBR. Of course, sometimes it is good for my TBR. I have been known to actually remove a book from my TBR based on your negative review. True story. Assassin’s Heart was already on my TBR, but I had not heard of Blackhearts before. It sounds really interesting. I have never read any books about pirates. I wouldn’t turn away from a book about them, but I wouldn’t really seek them out either. This one sounds promising though, especially since you gave it four stars. Adding this one to my always growing list. 🙂

  17. Revenge and the Wild (which I seriously have to check the title of like three times because I kept thinking it was Revenge and the Wild…) yay for the good stuff, I was worried about being invested and connected to it because lately I don’t know if it’s just me and the mood I’m in, but I’ve hardly connected to anything. The not as good stuff…my brain hurts at all the things going on. Sometimes (and definitely in this case it seems) less is more…I’m confused and haven’t even read it.
    Assassin’s Heart, would you say it’s like Throne of Glass too much? I’ve heard someone say something like that (although, that could’ve been Burning Glass, I can’t remember which, haha). And yes, assassining should be a word.
    YES, I AM SO GLAD YOU LIKED BLACKHEARTS, because I was wary because I’m not that into pirate stories either, in theory, they sound awesome, but I I’m a more watch them kind of person than reading about them…like, I didn’t even know what it was about to be honest, see a ship on a cover, I sail on by. Considering the ending though, I’ve just checked on goodreads and read a few other reviews and nope, I so WANT to read it now, but I think I’d be better off not reading it unless it’s announced there will be a sequel in the future etc.
    I HAVE READ NONE OF THEM. And now only plan on reading one, haha. Thanks for cutting my TBR by two. 😉 I love bloody pirate battles, but you know, without the pirates. So I’m going with nice character time.

    • Yeah, in this case, less is more. Especially like, ALL the things. Some of them I could have handled. Say, magic and cannibals. Those aren’t mutually exclusive. Or vampires and magic. Or trolls and elves. But it was like, ALL the characters with no actual setting that I could discern.. I don’t know. Maybe it’s me.

      Assassin’s Heart isn’t like Throne of Glass. Here’s what it’s like- Did you read Hold Me Like a Breath? It’s like that, if Hold Me Like a Breath hadn’t sucked. Does that make any sense? So not ToG at all.

      Blackhearts was awesome- IF there is a sequel. If there is no sequel… well, I will probably downgrade my rating, honestly, because then it is EVIL.

      Also, you’re welcome, TBR 😉

  18. Assassin’s Heart and Blackhearts are two books I am very excited to read. The assassin’s mafia angle sounds really interesting and so I’m really glad the book perked up. While I can definitely see that assassin is a popular profession for YA protagonist these days I must say this is one trend I will stand behind. Assassin’s just screams all things morally complex.

    Blackhearts had me sold on the fact that it’s a Blackbeard origin story. I’m all for character driven story and so this book sounds right up my alley.

    I’m not the biggest fan of vampires, they’re overrated and so when I saw that they were featured in Revenge and the Wild I basically just rolled my eyes. The fact that they don’t really have a reason for being present in the book makes things even more frustrating. From the sound of it this book sounds very busy and possibly clumsy? I’ve not ruled out the book yet but I’m in no rush to pick it up.

    • Assassin’s Heart is really quite morally complex because it isn’t even taboo- it’s like, the acceptable thing to do? It’s just very different. And Blackhearts is great- VERY interesting to read about the characters, they were well developed too!

      Yeah, the vampire pops in and out of the story, it’s kind of weird. CLUMSY! Yes, clumsy is the perfect word! It has a lot of GOOD elements, and I will definitely read more from the author, but it was just… too much in one book, basically.

  19. Ooo! I’m super curious about ‘Assassin’ and “Blackhearts” too. Both sound like they’re worth reading judging by your ratings (I didn’t read about the later book because I’ve not read it yet), and your review for the former makes me all the more convinced it’d be a great read!

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